Naropa University vs. PAFA

Should I go to Naropa University or Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Naropa University or PAFA is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Naropa University vs. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts comparison
Naropa University Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts College 3 College 4
Naropa University Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
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Overview

 Naropa University PAFA
Location Boulder, CO Philadelphia, PA
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 1,117 141
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website naropa.edu pafa.org
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Naropa University PAFA
Tuition (In State) $34,400 $43,000
Tuition (Out of State) $34,400 $43,000
Room & Board $10,696 $18,662
Avg Net Price $31,491 $45,518
Avg Grant Aid $21,183 $18,987
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

 Naropa University PAFA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 100 192
Admitted 94 168
Acceptance Rate 94% 87.5%
Enrolled % 25.5% 10.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

 Naropa University PAFA
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 5:1
Popular Majors
  • Psychology (29%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

 Naropa University PAFA
Graduation Rate 35% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $25,800 $22,000
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,500 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $274 $274

Diversity

 Naropa University PAFA
% Men 17% 10%
% Women 50% 20%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 61%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 10% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 11% 6%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 11% 7%

Students

 Naropa University PAFA
% In-State 33% 72%
% Out-of-State 67% 17%

Campus

 Naropa University PAFA
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Naropa University is larger than than PAFA based on total student enrollment (1,117 students vs. 141 students)

Naropa University vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Naropa University or PAFA?

  • Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 25% more expensive to attend than Naropa University for in-state tuition ($43,000.00 vs. $34,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25% higher at PAFA than Naropa University ($43,000.00 vs. $34,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Naropa University than PAFA ($31,491 vs. $45,518)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Naropa University are 74.5% lower than costs at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($10,696 vs. $18,662)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts than Naropa University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Naropa University students is 11.6% larger than aid received Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($21,183 vs. $18,987)

Naropa University vs. PAFA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Naropa University or PAFA? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PAFA or Naropa University .

  • Naropa University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than PAFA (87.5%)

Naropa University vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Naropa University or PAFA? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PAFA and Naropa University.

  • The graduation rate at PAFA is higher than Naropa University (73% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Naropa University earn on average $3,800 more per year than PAFA graduates after ten years. ($25,800 vs. $22,000)
  • Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Naropa University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,500 vs. $26,500)
  • Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Naropa University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($274 vs. $274)
  • More Naropa University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PAFA students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/